Insta360 X4 review: Capture Everything Around You—in 360°!

It’s unusual to discuss a camera that, together with an invisible selfie stick, promises to replace a drone on a profile website. However, the Insta360 X4 truly deserves a review for its 8K 360 recording and unmatched FlowState stabilization.

Released in August 2017, the Insta360 One was the company’s first consumer 360-degree action camera, intended to be used in tandem with a smartphone. The X4 was released in April 2024 and significantly improved compared to its predecessors. I’ve been following the evolution of these cameras for a long time, and I’m thrilled to get my hands on one and test it finally.

In my country, this year, someone who promoted himself mostly on TikTok and ran a shady online campaign almost won the presidential election. These days, social media has more power than it should have. Somehow, from a friendly online environment that is supposed to connect people with the same interests and be a knowledge resource for young people, it has become a tool for manipulation and excessive promotion of various services and products by so-called influencers. On the other hand, these platforms also feature exciting content created by dedicated individuals that will keep you breathless. If you are one such creator, the Insta360 X4 is the perfect tool that fits in your pocket ready for action.

Insta360 X4 hands-on review

Disclosure: I received this 360-action camera for a product review collaboration with Insta360. Although the product was free, all the opinions in this review remain mine!

Insta360 is a leading brand in the realm of 360-degree cameras and action cams, known for creating compact, feature-rich consumer devices that empower creators to capture their adventures in a whole new dimension. The company also offers a professional product line that includes the Titan camera, featuring eight Micro Four Thirds sensors and 11K VR recording capabilities. Insta360 is also present in the single-lens action camera market, making highly capable gear that can compete with established brands such as GoPro and DJI. Their newest Ace 2 Pro is an 8K AI-powered action camera with a 1/1.3″ sensor and a Leica lens.

Insta360 sent me the X4 with an invisible selfie stick, a protective silicon lens cap, and a high-speed 256GB micro SD card. The standard bundle includes a pair of lens guards, a thermo grip cover, and a mini case.

At a glance

The X4 camera measures 4.87 x 1.80 x 1.48 inches (123.6 x 46 x 37.6 mm) and weighs 7.16 ounces (203 grams). By comparison, the older X3 measures 114 x 46 x 33.1mm and weighs 180 grams. With two optical units positioned back to back, it features a unique design that differentiates it from conventional single-lens action cameras. The body of the X4 is made from rigid, grippy, hard plastic.

A standard 1/4 20 tripod mount and magnetic mount interface are at the camera’s bottom. The back features a textured rubberized cover for improved grip, while the front is equipped with a large touchscreen and primary control buttons (Mode and Shutter). While recording, the X4 may heat up quickly when using the power-intensive 8K video mode. However, the included thermo-grip protects your hand from touching hot surfaces.

From top to bottom, the left side features a microphone, a covered USB-C port for charging and connecting accessories like an external mic, and a watertight slot for the battery and micro SD card. The opposite side has a second microphone, a power button, and a customizable Quick button.

The Insta360 X4 boasts an IPX8 rating, meaning it is waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet) for a duration of 30 minutes. However, since seawater is very corrosive—and not to mention that grains of sand can easily scratch the lens—I recommend using the dedicated invisible dive case, which allows depths of up to 50 meters (164 feet).

Insta360 provides a pair of “standard” lens guards to protect the exposed lenses against bumps and scratches. Premium tempered glass lens guards are also available for improved optical performance and clearer, brighter image capture. Remember to select the appropriate lens guard type in the X4’s settings menu for the best image quality.

Although the X4 360 has no built-in GPS system, it can receive satellite data from Apple Watch and Garmin devices via Bluetooth.

Price, availability, and package options

During the Insta360 BLACK FRIDAY SALE, the X4 is significantly discounted. All seventeen package combos are 15% off, and you can also save 30% on the optional FlexiCare premium subscription. In addition, throughout the promotion period, you will receive a free $25 water bottle with your order. The standard kit shown in this review is priced at $424.99 (€475.99). The “No Drone No Problem Bundle” combo, which includes the 3-meter invisible selfie stick, can be ordered for $515.

Who is the X4 camera suitable for?

360-action cameras are ideal for a variety of users and scenarios. The X4 is perfect for vloggers, YouTubers, and TikTok creators who want immersive, engaging footage. The “invisible selfie stick” effect and reframing options allow dynamic storytelling. Adventure enthusiasts who enjoy outdoor sports like snowboarding, surfing, hiking, or cycling will appreciate capturing every angle without adjusting the camera mid-action.

Insta360 X4: Shooting modes

The X4 features eleven modes in dual-lens operation (360°) and five in single-lens mode. Except for HDR, all other modes have manual and auto parameters.

Pro tips to improve your X4 footage

The dual wide-angle lens system has some disadvantages, which, if not appropriately addressed, can lead to disappointing recording quality.

To avoid creating visible stitch lines, always face the one camera on the subject and avoid rotating the camera while recording. Try to move together with the camera instead of moving the camera around you.

Excessive fish-eye effect (curved image) can ruin your footage, but you can avoid this by keeping the horizon in the center of the view, the tilt angle at 0°, and the FOV around 70-80%.

At first, everyone will tend to shoot in 8K, but this mode is suitable only for sunny days. In low-light conditions, 5.6K will give you better results. For slow motion, you can opt for 5.7K@60fps or 4K@100fps, offering 4X slo-mo playback without sacrificing details.

For vlogs, use “4K Me Mode”. It will give you the best results, keeping you in the center of the frame.

Prepare the camera before and after use by cleaning the lenses/ lens guards and checking for marks. You don’t want your footage ruined because it was not clean. I recommend using anti-fog sprays or wipes specifically designed for lenses. Apply them to the lens guards before use to create a protective barrier against fog. I know that using the X4 without the lens guards is risky, but you can obtain the best results only this way.

Insta360 X4: Battery life

According to Insta360, the removable 2290mAh battery allows up to 135 minutes at 5.7K@30fps or 71 minutes at 8K@30fps—which is amazing, considering that you have two action cams in one. The previous X3 model, powered by a smaller 1800mAh battery, can record only 81 minutes at the same settings. By comparison, my GoPro 13 can record aproximately the same duration but only at 1080p at 30fps.

If you intend to record more, an external battery bank can power the X4, or you can keep a couple of spare batteries on hand. A three-channel fast charging hub ($44.99) and three spare batteries ($39.99 -each) will cost you $204.95.

No drone, No problem: Fake drone footage with X4

With Insta360’s ultra-light carbon 3m selfie stick, the X4 can capture cool drone-like footage. Thanks to advanced deepfake AI technology, the camera and rood are made invisible in real time—you can’t see them even in the camera’s display.

Whether you want to create unique content for social media in drone-free areas or are an extreme sports enthusiast who wants to share unique moments without a drone, your followers will be amazed by the results.

Still, installing a 360-degree camera on an FPV (First-Person View) drone opens up unique filming possibilities, creating even more epic shots. You can capture fully immersive, spherical videos showing everything around the drone. This is ideal for creating cinematic shots or VR content. You can reframe footage in the Insta360 app, choosing the best POV without needing to re-fly the drone. Furthermore, you can film your drone from the top, front, behind, or side without needing a second drone. The cool thing is that AI completely hides the camera from the footage.

Insta360 X4: File formats and Editor tools

The X4 camera exports the footage in two 3-in-1 files (gyro data, audio, and video). .irv files are low-resolution preview videos, while .insv files are the high-resolution videos. The files can be opened in third-party applications such as VLC Player, but the videos will appear pie-shaped.

The Insta360 X4 APP is available for personal computers (Windows and iOS) and mobile devices (Apple and Android) and allows you to play, edit, and export X4 footage. The app has a basic ‘Media’ interface, allowing you to trim, reframe, adjust image parameters, and export, as well as a more advanced timeline ‘Project’ interface where you can additionally add music, text, and various transition effects.

Insta360 provides a Reframe – Plugin for Adobe Premiere for even more professional editing.

Insta360 X4 vs X3: The Evolution of Immersive 360 Videos

The Insta360 X4’s resolution, battery life, and usability advancements make it a more powerful tool, especially for users needing extended recording time and higher video quality. On the other hand, the X3 is smaller, lighter, and not lastly more affordable.

Insta360 X4 vs GoPro 13: What are the key differences? Which one best fits your needs?

The GoPro Hero 13 Black and the Insta360 X4 are top-notch action cameras, but they come from different worlds, each excelling in different areas. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which may be better for your needs.

GoPro 13 is designed primarily as a traditional action camera. It features a rugged design, refined stabilization, impressive 400fps slow-motion, and built-in GPS.

Insta360 X4, on the other hand, is a powerful 360-degree camera that can capture up to 8K footage. It offers extensive post-shooting flexibility to reframe shots and unmatched stabilization by design.

Comparison Table

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